Speaker Dynamics | Leadership, Communication & Public Speaking

EP37: Inspiring through Storytelling

Most business presentations are packed with data no one remembers. Stories are what actually stick.
 
Karin Reed is joined by senior communication coach Andrea Brody for a conversation that redefines what storytelling looks like in a business setting. What makes someone pause, lean in, and actually remember what you said? Well, it’s probably not your bullet points.
 
Andrea shares insights from her Inspiring Through Storytelling workshop, including the science behind why our brains respond so strongly to stories, and why even simple, everyday moments can leave a lasting impression. She breaks down common misconceptions about what counts as a “real” story and explains how value stories, founder stories, and customer stories can all be used strategically, depending on your audience.
 
For anyone who’s tired of being forgettable in meetings, pitches, or presentations, Karin and Andrea’s conversation offers a smarter way to connect, and a clearer reason to start sharing stories that actually mean something.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Business Storytelling and Why It Matters
02:51 Inside the “Inspiring Through Storytelling” Workshop
05:04 The Science Behind Why Stories Stick
07:59 What Makes a Story Effective
10:54 “I’m Not a Storyteller” and Other Common Myths
11:18 How to Find Meaningful Stories in Everyday Life
13:35 Participant Breakthroughs and Story Wins
19:40 NFL Combine Example: Quiet Leadership Through Story
22:07 Leading Through Storytelling in Tough Times
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP36: Pitch Perfect - Becoming a Media Expert with Paula Rizzo

Becoming a go-to media expert doesn’t happen by chance. There are multiple factors that make you the guest who is on speed dial. But what are those factors? 
 
Karin Reed talks with Paula Rizzo, an Emmy-winning producer, author and media trainer, about what it really takes to get booked by the media and asked back. Why do some experts become regulars while others never hear a word? What makes a producer stop scrolling and actually open your pitch?
 
Paula shares what she looked for when booking guests during her years in TV news and how she used those same strategies to build her own media presence. She explains the importance of showing up online, pitching with a clear hook and takeaway, and creating content that reflects your expertise. She also unpacks what it means to be “good on camera” and why clarity always matters more than charisma.
 
This episode offers guidance for authors, entrepreneurs and subject-matter experts who want to raise their visibility and be taken seriously by the media. If you’re ready to be seen as the expert, this is where to begin.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Becoming a Media Expert
01:13 Paula Rizzo’s Media Journey
03:20 How to Start: Blogging, Pitching, and Visibility
05:00 What Makes a Great Media Guest
06:10 Why Availability Matters
08:19 How to Pitch the Media Effectively
10:54 Follow-Up and Relationship Building
13:11 Understanding What Producers Actually Need
14:55 Being Good on Camera
19:11 Speaking in Soundbites
21:23 Where to Begin as an Aspiring Expert
23:57 Common Misconceptions About Media
26:04 When to Start Media Training
27:50 Be Visible to Be Found
 
Links
Connect with Paula Rizzo:
For listeners – anyone who is interested in applying for a free strategy session with me can go to SpeakWithPaula.com to apply. There are limited spots available.
For anyone interested in lists and productivity, here’s a list-making starter kit at paularizzo.com/lists
To connect via LinkedIn please go here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paularizzo1/
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP35: Will You Let Me Finish?

Controlling a room full of senior leaders starts with knowing your mission and refusing to let interruptions derail it. So what happens when you walk into a meeting ready to present and the executives start cutting you off before you even reach slide two? Karin Reed knows the feeling, and she offers a smarter way to handle it without losing control or losing your nerve.
 
In this episode, Karin breaks down five practical strategies for staying in charge when senior leaders steer the conversation off course. She shares why setting expectations early can help you hold the room, how trimming your content down to what matters most can work in your favor, and why you should never make a busy executive wait for the point you’re trying to make. Would your presentation land differently if you led with the ‘ask’ instead of saving it for the end? Karin explains why it would and how it changes the way people listen. You’ll also hear smart ways to handle interruptions without giving away control and how to design your slides to flex with the conversation instead of boxing you in.
 
Karin drives home a simple truth: your voice matters, no matter where you sit on the org chart. When you stay intentional, respectful, and focused, you help leaders make better decisions. And that is exactly why you are in the room.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
01:04 Mission and Importance of Presentation
02:32 Understanding Senior Leaders’ Intent
04:51 Five Strategies Overview
05:03 Strategy 1: Setting Expectations
07:10 Strategy 2: Be Realistic with Content
10:18 Strategy 3: Don’t Bury the Lead
14:00 Strategy 4: Handling Questions
18:46 Strategy 5: Be Flexible
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP34: Tales from the Trenches of the Speakers Circuit

Most people think polish makes a speaker great. Authenticity is what makes an audience listen.
 
In this episode, Karin Reed talks with international keynote speaker and bestselling author Ryan Vet about what it really takes to build a professional speaking business. From a non-linear journey shaped by entrepreneurship and early Twitter fame to a moment of clarity sparked by unexpected feedback, Ryan shares how authenticity, not polish, is the quality that sets great speakers apart.
 
Ryan and Karin discuss common misconceptions about the speaking world, including the myth that success happens quickly or that all impactful talks happen on massive stages. Ryan offers practical insight into building a sustainable speaking business, from understanding who’s in the room to customizing talks without compromising your voice. He also explains why things like AV etiquette, recording your talks, and building multiple revenue streams are part of the job, not just extras.
 
Whether you’re aiming for the main stage or just curious about what happens behind the scenes, this conversation pulls back the curtain on professional speaking with honesty, humor, and a healthy dose of real talk.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Ryan’s Path to Professional Speaking
04:30 Lessons from Writing Speak Goodr
06:00 Handling On-Stage Mishaps
09:24 Respecting the AV Team
10:04 Building a Speaking Business
12:43 Setting and Explaining Your Fee
16:37 Creating Multiple Revenue Streams
17:05 Preparing for Your Audience
20:14 Why Recording Your Talks Matters
22:19 How the Speaking Industry is Changing
23:32 Impacting Audiences of Any Size
25:55 Stick With It
 
Links
Connect with Ryan Vet:
www.RyanVet.com 
www.SpeakGoodr.com
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP33: An Executive Presence Toolkit

Executive presence isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s built through intention, visibility, and the willingness to quiet your inner critic. These are some of the key takeaways from Karin Reed’s talk produced by e-learning titan, Madecraft, as part of their &Then speakers’ series.
 
Karin returns to a topic she’s known for—owning the room—but this time through a more personal lens. What does it take to show up with confidence when your inner voice is questioning every move? How do you project leadership when imposter syndrome is creeping into your psyche?
 
Through stories from her early days as a young reporter and lessons learned from years coaching professionals on camera and in the room, Karin outlines what executive presence really requires. She breaks it down into three areas: how others see you, how you see yourself, and how you stay true to who you are while still making an impact.
 
You’ll hear tips for making stronger digital impressions, learn why solo episodes almost didn’t happen on her podcast, and get a reminder that your value isn’t tied to how well you match someone else’s mold. This episode is a smart, honest look at how to show up clearly, confidently, and fully yourself.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction 
02:08 Defining Executive Presence
05:12 The Importance of First Impressions
07:00 Elements of Strong Presence
09:17 Improving Your Virtual Presence
12:48 Maximizing Your Screen Space
13:10 Owning Your Expertise
16:02 The Value of Authenticity
17:27 The Importance of Executive Presence
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP32: Leadership Communication: Flexible Leadership in Uncertain Times (with Kevin Eikenberry)

 
In a world where change is constant, leadership communication can no longer rely on habit or personality type. If you lead a team, present to stakeholders, or guide strategy, the way you communicate directly shapes results. Rigid leadership communication simply does not work anymore.
 
In this episode, Kevin Eikenberry joins Karin Reed to challenge the idea that leaders should stick to one style. He introduces a practical framework for becoming more adaptable without losing your values. You will hear how strong leadership communication is rooted in principles and flexible in execution. That shift builds executive presence and drives confident communication, even in uncertain moments.
 
Kevin walks through real workplace scenarios that many leaders face. You ask for input and get silence. You feel pressure to respond quickly. You default to your usual approach. He explains how to pause, assess the context, and decide whether to ask, tell, listen, or direct. That intentional choice strengthens your influence when speaking and helps you communicate with influence instead of reacting on autopilot.
 
They also explore the connection between empathy and performance and how leaders can balance both without sacrificing results. For anyone focused on public speaking for leaders, this conversation offers a grounded and actionable path forward.
 
If you want your leadership communication to match the demands of today’s workplace, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to make it happen.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Why Leadership Communication Must Be Flexible in Uncertain Times09:01 Ask vs. Tell — A Practical Leadership Communication Shift16:11 Mindset, Skillset, and Habit Set Framework for Leaders18:17 Balancing Empathy and Results Without Losing Performance26:01 The “It Depends” Rule for Better Leadership Decisions
 
Connect with Kevin Eikenberry:
Visit Kevin's website
Learn more about Flexible Leadership
Claim your free gift
Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn
Follow Kevin on X
Subscribe to Kevin Eikenberry Group YouTube Channel
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP31: The Assignment I Didn’t Want That Led to a Career in Leadership Communicatio

Milestones rarely announce themselves in the moment. They often look like assignments you did not ask for, skills that felt ordinary, or opportunities that seemed off-track. Only later do you see how they shaped your career.
As Speaker Dynamics marks its first anniversary, Karin Reed reflects on the moments that led her into a career focused on leadership communication, executive presence, and coaching professionals to strengthen their effective communication skills.
From an unexpected newsroom assignment that led to an Emmy Award, to sketching a communication framework on a legal pad in an airport terminal, to teaching virtual communication skills long before they were mainstream, each milestone quietly built the foundation for her work today.
This episode explores:
How early career assignments can build executive presence
Why communication skills that feel natural to you may be your greatest leadership advantage
How leadership communication became mission critical in 2020
What it takes to coach leaders in effective communication across in-person, virtual, and hybrid settings
Why executive presence on video is developed over time, not overnight
Karin shares the turning point when she realized she could help C-level executives communicate more confidently on camera, which ultimately grew into books, global training programs, and a coaching practice centered on leadership communication and executive presence.
If you are building influence, presenting to senior leaders, or refining your executive presence on video, this conversation invites you to reflect on your own communication milestones. The experiences you once questioned may be preparing you for the next chapter of your leadership journey.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
03:06 First Communication Milestone: Tuesday’s Child
05:37 Impact of Tuesday’s Child Assignment
06:48 Emmy Award for Special Needs Adoption Documentary
07:02 Lesson from Tuesday’s Child Experience
07:03 Second Communication Milestone: Teaching On-Camera Communication
08:58 Developing the MVPs of On-Camera Success
10:13 Expanding Workshops and Writing a Book
10:45 Lesson from Teaching On-Camera Communication
11:07 Third Communication Milestone: 2020 and Virtual Communication
12:13 Webinar with Dr. Joe Allen
13:06 Onslaught of Business in 2020
14:00 Scaling Training and Speaker Dynamics University
15:04 Lesson from 2020 Experience
16:10 Reflecting on Career Impact
17:35 This Week’s Big Takeaway
18:17 Encouragement to Reflect on Personal Milestones
18:48 Closing
 
Links
Connect with Karin Reed:
Website: www.speakerdynamics.com
Speaker Dynamics University: https://university.speakerdynamics.com/
Speaker Dynamics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speakerdynamics/
Karin Reed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-reed/
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP30: Virtual Communication Skills: Why Presence Matters More Than Proximity

Are your virtual communication skills strong enough to create real connection when your team is fully remote?
Return-to-office mandates promise culture and collaboration, but they often miss the real issue. The gap is not proximity. It is presence. In this conversation, Karin Reed sits down with Lisette Sutherland to unpack how spatial working may reshape the way we think about leading virtual teams and strengthening virtual communication skills in a distributed world.
Instead of stacking more Zoom meetings on the calendar, spatial work tools create digital offices where people can see who is available, drop in for quick chats, and experience true virtual presence. The result is fewer forced meetings and more natural interaction. It changes how teams experience executive communication, how leaders model visibility, and how spontaneous collaboration actually happens.
Lisette shares how she tested these tools with her own global network and why presence and serendipity are not lost causes in remote collaboration. She also explains the real barrier. It is not cost. It is habit change. When organizations want better culture but hesitate to try something new, they default to mandates instead of experimentation.
 
If you care about meeting facilitation skills, connected teams, and building culture without requiring a commute, this episode will challenge how you think about virtual communication skills and what is possible when remote work is designed intentionally.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 What Is Spatial Working and Why It Matters for Remote Teams
02:08 Virtual Presence and Serendipity in Remote Collaboration
10:40 Why Teams Resist New Virtual Communication Tools
16:53 How to Successfully Pilot Spatial Working
21:44 Rethinking Return-to-Office Mandates
 
Links
Learn more about "How Virtual Coworking Elevates Team Building"
Welo (a Collaboration Superpowers favorite)
Remo
Gathertown
Kumospace
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP29: Influence When Speaking: The 3 Habits That Strengthen Executive Presence

Influence when speaking is not built through big declarations. It is built through daily communication habits that shape how others see and hear you.
In this episode, Karin Reed shares three shifts that strengthen your virtual presence, sharpen your executive communication, and increase your influence when speaking in high-stakes moments. Whether you are presenting in a boardroom or speaking on camera, these habits determine how your message lands.
First, she challenges the habit of winging it. Preparation is not optional if you want strong executive presence. When you are speaking on camera or leading a virtual meeting, lack of preparation shows quickly. Confidence is rarely spontaneous. It is built through clarity, structure, and intention.
Second, Karin explores why listening is one of the most overlooked leadership communication skills. True listening, rather than simply waiting for your turn, strengthens trust and improves how you inspire teams through communication. Strong virtual presence is not just about how you speak. It is about how you engage.
Third, she addresses the cost of staying silent. Your perspective has value. Leaders who build influence when speaking do not shrink their voice in important conversations. They speak with clarity, especially when the stakes are high.
If you want to elevate your executive presence, improve your virtual presence, and feel more confident speaking on camera, these communication habits will reshape how your leadership communication shows up across every platform.
 
Episode Breakdown:
02:49 Stop Winging It When Presenting to Senior Leaders
08:36 Leadership Communication Starts With Listening
15:45 The Power of Active Listening at Work and Home
17:54 Imposter Syndrome and Communication Anxiety
20:40 Why Speaking Up Builds Real Confidence
23:35 Preparation as the Key to Speaking With Confidence
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

EP28: Connect As A Person For Authentic Leadership Communication and Executive Presence

Are you leading like a person or hiding behind your title? This conversation gets to the heart of leadership communication and the difference between authority and connection. Karin Reed sits down with Mark Carpenter, author of Lead Like a Person, Not a Position, to explore why positional power is costing leaders more than they realize.
 
In today’s workplace, leadership communication is less about hierarchy and more about trust. Mark shares a candid story from his own career that shows how quickly a leader can shift from human connection to command and control. The result was damaged credibility, disengaged employees, and eventual turnover. It is a cautionary example for anyone serious about executive presence.
 
Mark outlines three behaviors that define strong leadership communication. Listen intently. Communicate intentionally. Recognize individually. These habits are practical and measurable. They help you communicate with influence, strengthen authentic leadership communication, and build loyalty without theatrics. For leaders who want more influence when speaking or who are presenting to senior leaders, this framework strengthens both clarity and credibility.
 
The discussion also addresses a hard question. What happens when your culture rewards power plays over people skills?
Mark offers a grounded perspective on values, results, and the kind of legacy you want attached to your name.
 
If you care about executive presence and want your leadership communication to reflect who you actually are, this episode delivers both strategy and self reflection.
 
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 The Difference Between Leading as a Person vs. a Position
02:59 A Real-World Example of Positional Leadership Gone Wrong
07:09 Why Leadership Communication Is a Moment-by-Moment Choice
11:21 Listening Intently to Avoid Solving the Wrong Problem
15:01 Communicating Intentionally to Build Trust and Accountability
19:19 Recognizing Individually to Increase Engagement and Retention
22:53 Leading Authentically in Command-and-Control Cultures
25:04 Defining the Leadership Legacy You Want to Leave
 
Connect with Mark Carpenter:Visit the Lead Like a Person website
Connect with Mark on LinkedIn
 
Connect with Karin Reed:
Visit Speaker Dynamics
Explore Speaker Dynamics University
Follow Speaker Dynamics on Instagram
Connect with Karin Reed on LinkedIn
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm